Scottish Womens Aid

Workshop Aim: Improving deaf women’s experiences of reporting and receiving support for domestic abuse

Deaf women are up to three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than hearing women and face additional barriers to reporting and receiving appropriate and effective support.

This interactive in person workshop, led by Professor Jemina Napier, Heriot Watt University and Lucy Clark, Project Officer and a deaf survivor, will draw on the research and learning from the Justisigns 2 and SILENT HARM projects which explored deaf women survivors experiences of domestic abuse alongside their experiences of reporting abuse. The workshop will include an analysis of scenarios involving deaf women being interviewed about domestic abuse. It will highlight what is needed to improve engagement, support and the empowerment of deaf women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Practical scenarios will be used to explore how professionals (e.g., police, healthcare workers, counsellors, IDAAs, domestic abuse specialists, housing and support providers etc) and sign language interpreters can work together to support the communication needs of deaf women who have experienced domestic abuse. Participants will benefit from gaining an in depth understanding of the specific needs and experiences of deaf women survivors of domestic abuse and develop a range of solutions and practical tips to improve practice responses when working with deaf survivors and BSL interpreters in the domestic abuse context.

By the end of the session you will be able to:

Identify the issues and challenges deaf women experience in seeking and securing support when experiencing domestic abuse.

Describe the tactics and behaviours perpetrators use that exploit victim/survivors deafness to exert control.

Reflect and build upon best practice skills and approaches for working with deaf women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Describe the best practice approaches and considerations needed when working with BSL interpreters in the context of domestic abuse.

Reflect on how to apply this knowledge to be more inclusive and effective when working with deaf women and sign language interpreters.

The workshop will be fully supported and accessible with a BSL Interpreter.

Date

12:45-16:00, 26 November 2025

Contact

Rosemary Banner
0131 226 6606

Theme

Social justice & poverty

Cost

£55.00

Attendance type

In-person only

Venue

132 Rose Street

Book now